William TORRES

William TORRES

Article excerpt

Cine Colombia builds out chain amid nationwide growth spurt

Cine Colombia has become the first major exhibitor in Latin America to go all digital, and William Torres is at the center of the process.

The move is a sign of the burgeoning Colombian economy, which has been boosted by huge improvements in security, foreign investments and consumer confidence. But the digital move is also a testament to the financial clout of Cine Colombia parent Grupo Santo Domingo, a family-owned conglom with stakes in more than 100 companies, including breweries, TV and radio stations, print media, real estate and oil.

Torres has been at the forefront of the 85-year-old company's exhibition growth, traveling throughout the country to oversee Cine Colombia's multiplex construction in malls that are mushrooming in big cities.

Cine Colombia prexy Munir Falah notes that the company is among only three circuits One ' in Latin America that have been able to directly secure virtual print fee agreements with the Hollywood majors.

The exhib-distrib has been spearheading Colombia's growth in exhibition, which is up 94% over the past seven years, from 9. …